[FOOTBALL] Capital One Cup Semi Finals Leg 2 - 26th/27th January 2016

[Weaver]

Capital One Cup Semi Finals - Leg 2
Liverpool (1) vs Stoke City (0) - Tuesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 1
Manchester City (1) vs Everton (2) - Wednesday, 19:45, Sky Sports 1

Football League (Tuesday)
Brentford vs Leeds United
Nottingham Forest vs QPR

Seven League One fixtures
Two League Two fixtures

Other Televised (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Ajax vs Heracles - 19:45, Sky Sports 4
Lille vs Bordeaux - 20:00, BT Sport Europe
Alessandria vs AC Milan - 20:00, Sky Sports 3

PSG vs Toulouse - 19:45, BT Sport Europe
Excelsior vs PSV - 19:45, Sky Sports 4
Juventus vs Inter Milan - 20:00, Sky Sports 2

[Kikó]

City apparently closing their top tier because it's unsold. Despite it being £20. And a cup semi final. Bizarre club.

[Davgooner]

'We're not really here.'

Everton have got the two upper tiers at the redeveloped end of the ground apparently.

Clubs that have away sections on upper tiers should be deducted points. Pussies.

[Jimmy Floyd]

City apparently closing their top tier because it's unsold. Despite it being £20. And a cup semi final. Bizarre club.

We used to have the same thing with midweek games in the immediate post Abramovich years (not sure if we still do) - they just don't sell. The nouveau fans simply aren't interested in going to anything but weekend Premier League.

[SincereTheRebel]

'We're not really here.'

Everton have got the two upper tiers at the redeveloped end of the ground apparently.

Clubs that have away sections on upper tiers should be deducted points. Pussies.


Isnt it better to have away fans in the lower and upper tier sections which saved them from getting spit on from above?

[Davgooner]

No.

..

[Baz]

Can see Stoke getting a bumming tonight. :drool:

[QE Harold Flair]

Stoke to qualify at 11/2 is all hte rage on Haroldbet.

[mugbull]

We used to have the same thing with midweek games in the immediate post Abramovich years (not sure if we still do) - they just don't sell. The nouveau fans simply aren't interested in going to anything but weekend Premier League.

Why would you expect anyone to give a shit about the League Cup?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you support the club, that also involves its endeavours in the League Cup.

[mugbull]

If that's the case, then it's also the case that you must support the club's International Champions Cup campaign (or whatever theycall it these days).

I personally think those are both equally pointless competitions and it doesn't reflect on you as a supporter to not care about them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of them takes places thousands of miles away from the fanbase, so...

Do you care about the FA Cup? What about Europe? The league?

[Byron]

I'd fucking love it if we won the League Cup at some point, fucking lol at a Tottenham fan thinking he's above it.

[Lee]

I'm with Floyd on this. I'll watch all of Leicester's home games, regardless of competition. Tickets for cup matches are cheap too so there's no reason not to.

[Lee]

I'd fucking love it if we won the League Cup at some point, fucking lol at a Tottenham fan thinking he's above it.

Quite. It isn't as though they've won anything else in the last twenty years. Our two League Cup wins were fantastic.

[mugbull]

I care about a competition if others - fans, players, managers - care about it. Football doesn't exist in a vacuum. It would be really boring if it was analyzed apart from its social impact. FA Cup is marginally more important than the League Cup, but thats mainly due to its history. Europe(Champions League) is most important, League is next most important. Europa League would be somewhere between PL and FAC.

At the end of the day, if there's more incentive for players to care about a competition (prize money, degree of "glory"), then I'm going to care more about it, because I watch football vicariously through the team and its players

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've no idea why they aren't cheaper. We played QPR in the 3rd round of this a few years ago and tickets were dirt cheap, I think I paid a fiver or a tenner or something. Despite it being a shit game which we won 1-0, it was the best atmosphere at the Bridge for years because all the people who can't normally go because of the price were there and roaring their hearts out.

[Waffdon]

Lol at Stoke not playing a full strength team

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's full strength apart from Crouch for Shaqiri, which is hardly like for like anyway so it's probably tactical.

[Max Power]

Shaqiri was beyond awful at the weekend so he might just have been dropped

[John]

Someone stick the Benny Hill theme over Emre Can there. Didn't have a clue what he was doing.

[Waffdon]

Spanish bloke at the back as well. Though you're right, I just seen three absolute plodders and jumped to the conclusion it wasn't full strength

[John]

Shawcross is injured.

[Max Power]

Spanish bloke at the back as well. Though you're right, I just seen three absolute plodders and jumped to the conclusion it wasn't full strength
Hope you're not referring to Big Jon Walters as a plodder?????

[Lewis]

Europe(Champions League) is most important, League is next most important.

The league is always the most important. Nobody remembers a semi-final run (maybe Leeds), but the world stopped when Eduardo left his leg in Birmingham.

I was talking about this with my friend the other day (after I raised it here). What can us post-1992 fans use as our own measure for lolling at younger hype monkeys who don't know anything about things we consider to be important? I'm thinking when Barcelona became good again, or whichever season most teams stopped being sponsored by things a geezer might use.

[John]

Bojan looks right on it.

He's developed into a lovely little player actually, after being shite for years.

[Magic]

Jesus Christ we've only had like 4 shots on goal in the last 3 games. FAO Scummers if you thought Agent LvG was bad you should see this shite. Utter utter shite. Clueless.

[John]

Was that Marc Muniesa ad infinitum to the tune of La Bamba there? :D

[Raoul Duke]

Bojan looks right on it.

He's developed into a lovely little player actually, after being shite for years.

Just read his wiki page. It's mental he's gone from playing in El Clasico (mate) to hanging around with CrouchBot at Stoke. He only cost them about £1.5m as well.

He's never really been first choice but seems like he just needs a load of games in a row to get up-and-running. Very tidy player.

[niko_cee]

What's happened to Diouf? I assume he must be injured.

Absolutely dreadful game.

[Magic]

4 shots on target in 4 games now. :sick:

[Kikó]

I don't know how you can devalue any cup. It's the point of your team existing to win trophies and if you don't care then you're in the wrong sport.

Just because managers devalue it, it doesn't make them right.

[niko_cee]

Not caring about the league cup is about a decade out of date as 'a thing'.

[phonics]

If you're a fan of a big team 'we won the League Cup today, I'm buzzing.' and you'll get 'Yeah but you're third in the league so fucking LOL' and the same bloke will complain the FA Cup isn't taken seriously. It'd just a way to have a dig at people.

It's especially visible during the FA Cup when small teams get to the final it's the big teams not taking it serious and when it's two big teams everyone complains that 'there aren't any upsets in the FA Cup anymore the magic has gone'

[Jimmy Floyd]

The league is always the most important. Nobody remembers a semi-final run (maybe Leeds), but the world stopped when Eduardo left his leg in Birmingham.

I was talking about this with my friend the other day (after I raised it here). What can us post-1992 fans use as our own measure for lolling at younger hype monkeys who don't know anything about things we consider to be important? I'm thinking when Barcelona became good again, or whichever season most teams stopped being sponsored by things a geezer might use.

It was when Ronaldo had that mega season at United. That or Abramovich. Dunno.

[phonics]

It was when Ronaldo had that mega season at United. That or Abramovich. Dunno.

It goes Blackburn, Wengers First Season, Munich 1999, The Invincibles, Mourinhos First, Ronaldo, Man City signing Robinho, AGUERRRRRRO!, Leicester.

[John]

Arnautovic is seriously frustrating to watch. He's obviously super talented but the way he just walks away from the play and hangs his head if he doesn't look like getting the ball does my head in.

He's like a four year old.

[Magic]

Jesus Christ our owner is texting the commentators just now telling them he's innocent over the tax evasion of his yacht as the case is tomorrow. :D

[phonics]

Peter Crouch looks like if you left Nacho Monreal on a series of Survivor.

[John Arne]

Benteke can't even hold the ball up, or actually even win any headers. Useless donkey.

[phonics]

Has had one decent chance given to him all game. Led to Flanagan having a chance.

[John Arne]

What? He has managed to hold the ball up once - he has had a fair amount of chances to control it, but fucked it up.

[Shindig]

Andros Toonsend.

[phonics]

What? He has managed to hold the ball up once - he has had a fair amount of chances to control it, but fucked it up.
Expecting a player to win chances that he is <50% to win is fucking retarded.

[mugbull]

I don't know how you can devalue any cup. It's the point of your team existing to win trophies and if you don't care then you're in the wrong sport.

Just because managers devalue it, it doesn't make them right.

Ok, but why don't pre-season friendly tournaments count? Those are trophies too.

[CJay]

Has had one decent chance given to him all game. Led to Flanagan having a chance.

You're crediting Benteke with being involved in that? He didn't manage to outmuscle Pieters and then fell to the ground blocking Flanagan from shooting.

At least tonight he's on a par with the rest of our team.

[John Arne]

Expecting a player to win chances that he is <50% to win is fucking retarded.

Are you being stupid on purpose? When he is jumping with a defender.. I'd expect/hope him to be able to win the ball on around 50% of the tiime. He has managed to win about 10% thus far.

[phonics]

You're crediting Benteke with being involved in that? He didn't manage to outmuscle Pieters and then fell to the ground blocking Flanagan from shooting.

At least tonight he's on a par with the rest of our team.

It's the only ball that's gone near him and the player he challenged was unable to challenge the ball. There's a serious lack of inswinging balls from the amount of Benteke/Firmino runs there's been.

[phonics]

Are you being stupid on purpose? When he is jumping with a defender.. I'd expect/hope him to be able to win the ball on around 50% of the occassions. He has managed to win about 10% thus far.

Why? That's the most unrealistic expectations of a player. It would be like expecting Giroud/Carroll/Mitrovic etc to win >50% of their headers which is never happening. Good defenders will win >75% of their headers.

[John Arne]

Are you watching the game? I'm not talking about crosses, I'm talking about balls pumped up to him - they are bouncing off him, or he's getting beaten in the air by the giant that is Muniesa.

[Kikó]

Ok, but why don't pre-season friendly tournaments count? Those are trophies too.

Because they're artificial competitions made up by marketing men. You're being pretty retarded.

[Spoonsky]

Can someone PM me a stream? The first row is fucking with me.

[Kikó]

http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/index.html

[John Arne]

Or www.streamhub.hk

[Baz]

I'm watching on a god awful stream, but unfortunately it's just about watchable, so I've sat through 112 minutes of shite so far.

[phonics]

Crouch should have made that 2-1 but it's clearly Bentekes fault for not getting on the end of that 10 yard short Ibe pass.

[phonics]

Watch Bloodzeed via AceStream if you have a half decent connection.

[John Arne]

Fucking hell, Ibe.

[Baz]

Streaming through my android box which has no keyboard or mouse, and Kodi wasn't having any of it, so just gotta rely on whatever Mobdro has to offer.

[John Arne]

Crouch should have made that 2-1 but it's clearly Bentekes fault for not getting on the end of that 10 yard short Ibe pass.

You're a fucking idiot.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Will I ever walk alone?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a dick Crouch is.

Couldn't even Maradona the rebound into the net.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He deserved to miss for that run up.

[John]

Lol at the twats behind the goal trying to put the players off. If any player ever admits to being distracted by that they should have their contract torn up immediately.

[Davgooner]

There's a guy there by the post with a fucking inflatable shark.

[John]

There's a bloke in an orange jacket who's just calling each Liverpool player a wanker as they begin their run up.

[Lee]

Benteke's ears are fucking tiny.

[Lewis]

Not a lot wrong with the penalty? It was almost going backwards.

[Spoonsky]

Cheers Kiko.

Joe Allen. :hail:

[John Arne]

Benteke's penalty :drool:

[John]

Muniesa will be off to Luton in the morning.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Butland giving a good indicator that the future of England shootout failure is in safe hands.

Left footed penalty takers are shit.

[John]

Interesting move from Sky, getting Godzilla in to do the pitch interview.

Where the fuck has that bloke come from? He can't have been hiding.

[John Arne]

How fucking tall is Guy Havord?

[Gray Fox]

So Joe Pirlo to the rescue.

I'm a wreck after that. Don't tell me the League cup doesn't mean anything.

[Spoonsky]

It's been a long time since I've watched my team in a penalty shootout. I love that feeling (when you win).

[Boydy]

There's a guy there by the post with a fucking inflatable shark.

:D

Joe Allen used to wind me up loads but I fucking love him these days. He's really come on since he's grown that beard.

[QE Harold Flair]

Undeserved, really.

[Spoonsky]

Joe Allen was great at the back-end of the title run. Won a penalty at Old Trafford and scored a lol header at Crystal Palace before things went to shit forever.

[Lewis]

I'd love that day with Tubes. I wouldn't laugh at anything he did/said all day until his head melted.

[mugbull]

Because they're artificial competitions made up by marketing men. You're being pretty retarded.
The League Cup was too once an artifical competition created to boost revenues. The only difference is it didn't happen in our lifetime. Actually, just about every competition ever was at one point 'artifically created'. I'm not buying that argument, especially since you're arguing that a 'trophy' is the only thing that matters for a club. A 'trophy' is just a big piece of metal, mate.

[Davgooner]

I once saw Guy Havord in our away end at West Brom. Massive anti-semite.

[Kikó]

You qualify for those tournaments through rules set out by football associations. Winning a pre season tournament is meaningless as it's just a couple of teams chucked together.

Football is all pointless yes. But if you are trying to find a point then it's being entertained and winning trophies.

[Reg]

Mok clearly has a point. Fans would rather win the league than the League Cup and everyone accepts that there is a hierarchy.

[Davgooner]

A lot of people just like seeing their team win.

[Lee]

Mok clearly has a point. Fans would rather win the league than the League Cup and everyone accepts that there is a hierarchy.

I know this is odd coming from me at the moment, but for most clubs winning the league isn't an option. I find cup games more exciting as there is more chance of a cup competition ending in a trophy for us.

[Lee]

A lot of people just like seeing their team win.

More than that, I just like seeing my team. Other than my parents it's the only connection I have left with my childhood and my city. There have been plenty of occasions on which the football has been the shittest part of going.

[Kikó]

Football is often the shittest part of the day.

[mugbull]

I know this is odd coming from me at the moment, but for most clubs winning the league isn't an option. I find cup games more exciting as there is more chance of a cup competition ending in a trophy for us.

That I can understand. A club like West Brom (or Leicester, lol) is never going to do anything interesting, so if they got to a cup final it would be pretty cool. But you'd still have to admit that it would be kind of an underwhelming achievement.

[Reg]

I'm not saying to not care about the League Cup. I would absolutely love it if we got to the final for instance. I just found people having a go at Mok silly when the guy had a rather obvious point.

[Kikó]

Underwhelming how? What's the point in supporting your team if you're unsatisfied with silverware?

[Spoonsky]

The league is always the most important. Nobody remembers a semi-final run (maybe Leeds), but the world stopped when Eduardo left his leg in Birmingham.

I was talking about this with my friend the other day (after I raised it here). What can us post-1992 fans use as our own measure for lolling at younger hype monkeys who don't know anything about things we consider to be important? I'm thinking when Barcelona became good again, or whichever season most teams stopped being sponsored by things a geezer might use.

One of my first memories of watching football on TV is John Terry's slip. And that whole summer everyone wondering whether he'd go to Madrid or not.

Football as a kid, man, there's nothing like it.

[Manc]

Who'd have thought Allen would enjoy his best times in a Liverpool shirt not under Brent. Probably hated the cunt.

[Reg]

Who'd have thought Allen would enjoy his best times in a Liverpool shirt not under Brent. Probably hated the cunt.
I think every British player could do with growing a beard that makes them feel like a much more talented player from abroad.

[Spoonsky]

The only trophy I've seen Liverpool win was the Carling Cup. I was pretty stoked about it, yeah. Feels like ages ago now. :\

[mugbull]

Underwhelming how? What's the point in supporting your team if you're unsatisfied with silverware?

The League Cup is not a prestigious tournament for any team in the Premier League, and it doesn't offer the chance for teams to build on their achievement. You win it, nobody cares, it's a one time thing, and people forget about it a week after it happened. Football is definitely about prestige, but not everything in football is prestigious.

Not tryna rain on the parade here but I want to have this discussion.

[Boydy]

Lol, Cockbull's just bitter cause Spurs ain't gonna win shit.

[mugbull]

have fun losing to Everton again champ

[niko_cee]

Carragher had it right in the aftermath. Football is about winning trophies. No one really gives a shit about finishing 4th (or 2nd) and getting bummed by Real or whoever the following autumn.

[Boydy]

It'll be City we lose to, duh.

[Reg]

Carragher had it right in the aftermath. Football is about winning trophies. No one really gives a shit about finishing 4th (or 2nd) and getting bummed by Real or whoever the following autumn.
It isn't just about winning trophies, it's about the hope, however unrealistic. Liverpool fans are the perfect example.

[Lee]

That I can understand. A club like West Brom (or Leicester, lol) is never going to do anything interesting, so if they got to a cup final it would be pretty cool. But you'd still have to admit that it would be kind of an underwhelming achievement.

I've seen us win the League Cup twice. It did not feel underwhelming on either occasion. In fact it probably felt better then than winning the league would now; football was everything to me when we were winning those.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I felt nothing when we won the league in 2005. Just to warn you. League wins are anti-climactic as anything.

[John]

They are if it's wrapped up a couple of weeks in advance and the last few games are a procession. If you win the league on the final day or, better still, the final secoinds, there's nothing to top it.

[Spoonsky]

Mo Edu. :cool:

Leicester winning the league would be pretty incredible no matter how it happened though.

[Lewis]

'Congrats, Lee.'

Ugh.

[Andy]

Lol at Mokbull not understanding football at all. :lol:

[Kikó]

The League Cup is
not a prestigious tournament for any team in the Premier League, and it doesn't offer the chance for teams to build on their achievement. You win it, nobody cares, it's a one time thing, and people forget about it a week after it happened. Football is definitely about prestige, but not everything in football is prestigious.

Not tryna rain on the parade here but I want to have this discussion.

Were arguing different things. No doubt some trophies and titles are more prestigious. As a fan though, you want to watch your team in cup semis and finals.

[Manc]

Isn't Mokbull about 12? Can hardly blame the lad for his views. The Balon D'or holds more significance than a World Cup win in this age.

[Lee]

'Congrats, Lee.'

Ugh.

I'm not really sure there would be any grounds on which to congratulate me, given that I haven't done anything.

[Kikó]

Meanwhile, united swoop in and secure the signing of the window http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Club-News/2016/Jan/manchester-united-announces-partnership-with-isotonic-drink-brand-YOU-C1000-in-Indonesia.aspx

[Davgooner]

Fuck sake; we're crying out for a presence in that market. Fuck you Weng.

[Kikó]

We're never dry, we're never dry.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maybe they're keeping van Gaal on so that the brand identity ties in better with that 'Orange Water' range.

[John Arne]

Nice free-kick routine, lads.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz7kPAaZawU

[John]

Mo Edu. :cool:

Leicester winning the league would be pretty incredible no matter how it happened though.

Edu made a habit of scoring last minute winners for us but he never won a league that way.

[Magic]

Isn't Mokbull about 12? Can hardly blame the lad for his views. The Balon D'or holds more significance than a World Cup win in this age.

A bit of skill from Neymar on a Vine is more important than a World Cup final to these cunts.

[John]

Wifey piss in your cornflakes this morning, Magic?

[Magic]

No, I've literally just finished a large bowl of Special K Fruit n Nut mixed with Oats, Raisins N More.

[Boydy]

:sick:

No wonder you're grumpy.

[Magic]

:cry:

I've also resorted to doing my dishes in the shower.

[Giggles]

I remember letting my dishes build up so much once when I was living in my tod that I used the bath to do them or I'd have had to do 7 or 8 washes in the sink.

[John]

You should submit your wedding video to that 'Britain's Youngest Brides' thing, Magic. The money might let you get a dishwasher.

[Magic]

I've got a Bosch dishwasher. My new fixed energy rate doesn't allow me to use it though. :cry:

[John]

:D

We'll do a whipround for you. Phonics is in a job now so he's eating well.

[Boydy]

I remember letting my dishes build up so much once when I was living in my tod that I used the bath to do them or I'd have had to do 7 or 8 washes in the sink.

:D

Fucking hell.

[Giggles]

:D

Fucking hell.

I pressure washed a lot of them outside to get rid of the stuff growing in them first :cool:

[Gray Fox]

Working about 30 minutes away from Stoke and there being a fair few Stokies there, I expected them to be a little down today.

Some of them were just short of meltdown. Came in with the full 'you lot aren't real fans' defence. It's been beautiful. :D

[Max Power]

Nice goal but the gaping holes in City's midfield despite having Delph, Fernandinho and Toure was laughable

[Waffdon]

Lovely.

Everton could score a few on the break against that awful City defence. Shane Everton can implode at any time

[Lewis]

692420445098917888

Well they haven't been much use.

[Lewis]

I haven't seen one of those since Frank Lampard was in his pomp.

[Max Power]

Enjoyed that pleading shout from the crowd of "tackle him Yaya!"

He didn't

[Giggles]

692420445098917888

Well they haven't been much use.

If that's not an hour before kickoff then you all owe Mokbull an apology.

[Toby]

The timestamp says 10:54am, which surely can't be right.

EDIT: Must be US time. 18:54 here presumably.

[Lewis]

It says 6:54 PM, so fix yer Twitter.

[Spoonsky]

Edu made a habit of scoring last minute winners for us but he never won a league that way.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX43WLQE00U

I thought that won the league?

[Giggles]

I always thought Rangers Edu was ex-Arsenal Edu.

[Toby]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX43WLQE00U

I thought that won the league?

It says in the video title that the game was in February. I doubt they won the league with twelve games and one Old Firm to spare.

[CJay]

It says in the video title that the game was in February. I doubt they won the league with twelve games and one Old Firm to spare.

And if they did you can't really say that Edu 'won the league in the last minute'.

[Spoonsky]

Yeah fair enough. The description says it basically wrapped up the league, so it was a last-minute goal that won the league, but it's not quite the same.

[Toby]

You do get those moments you look back on with hindsight (or sometimes predict beforehand) as the pivotal moment in a successful season. At least you do if it's ever close, which Mourinho's titles never really were. I guess that's partly why Chelsea fans have taken more joy from the Ancelotti season and cup wins.

[Waffdon]

What is the point of Leon Osman?

[Lewis]

Everton will get a good twenty years of seethe out of that.

[Spoonsky]

Ball was out there. Bollocks.

[Waffdon]

All this is because they brought a pint of Guinness on.

Martinez is absolutely chronic

[Waffdon]

He played Stones at right back over Coleman :D

[Spoonsky]

Everton are fucked. The final should be fun though.

[Waffdon]

Should be sacked immediately. Won't.

[Kikó]

At least Bobby has a referee to blame as usual.

[Reg]

At least Bobby has a referee to blame as usual.
He seems a very nice guy at other times but he's one of the worst for that.

Pellegrini on the other hand seems a proper gent and will always shrug off referee talk I'd he's asked about it.

[John]

I thought that won the league?

It was an incredibly important win by the end of the season, because we lost the last Old Firm and I think Celtic ended up pulling back something like five or six points overall in the last few games, but it wasn't a league winning goal.

He scored another one the following year against Sporting Lisbon to take us through on away goals. It can't have been far off a year to the day, actually. I hated Lisbon itself, but that was a great trip.

[John Arne]

Was there a relevance to the banana's at Man City?

[Kikó]

Inflatable bananas are strangely part of their fan culture.

[Giggles]

Don't Russian and Italian fans get in hot water for that?

[John Arne]

Some reasons for the banana's (that all sound bullshit - Varadi doesn't even sound like banana).
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/inflatable-bananas-manchester-city-vs-7258875

To be fair, it could be worse...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/22/article-2236795-067D6D7A0000044D-224_634x421.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/6891343/Euro-giants-plan-Champions-League-cartel.html

Football, eh. Bloody hell.

[simon]

TOP SECRET PLANS.

Surely that'd never happen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought not but the article has some fairly ominous quotes in it.

Milan have been bawling their eyes out about this ever since they/Italy went to shit.

[niko_cee]

What are the viewing figures like for the Champions League? I always suspected BT might be getting themselves into something by going big on it. Do may people care about it? It's pretty much a closed shop from a footballing perspective anyway, so these secret plans, whilst ostensibly abhorrent, probably aren't that big a deal. I don't really see how it would work if it ran alongside a domestic league though, it would probably have to be a stand-alone super league, and it would be undoubtedly shit. What it actually sounds like is more of a European plan to undermine the Premier League.

[Giggles]

I'd happily predict that would be a massive nail in the sport. Hopefully anyway.

[Disco]

Is there anywhere near enough appetite for a Euro Super League type competition? I'm not sure there would be enough to justify it replacing domestic leagues. Although the lollage involved in teams leaving the Premiership and then not being allowed back in once it all went tits up makes me want to see it happen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think it's one of those things that will make an executive's eyes light up, but in reality would be shit. Big, popular clubs are big and popular because they win a lot. If Arsenal spent every year coming 12th in the superleague, what would be the point?

This stuff is all driven by Milan, Inter, United and co just throwing their toys out because they are shit.

[Lee]

A Super League won't happen. It doesn't need to, that's what the Champion's League already is. This will just be big clubs flexing their muscles to get a better financial deal and, as Floyd says, formerly good sides who have become shit getting the arse.

The likes of United and Milan will sort themselves out eventually anyway, it's all cyclical. They're just being impatient arseholes. Fuck 'em.

[Davgooner]

United will be fine once Vardy, Mahrez and Kante settle in.

[Lee]

They want Champion's League football, mate.

[John Arne]

Just seen the Man City goal from last night that crossed the dead ball line.

I kinda feel sorry for the ref here, because there isn't a lot he can do. The lino is on the other side of the pitch and hasn't got a chance in hell of seeing it (especially if there is a slight curve in the pitch), and the ref just isn't at the right angle to be able to see it.
Harsh on Everton, but I wouldn't blame the ref, necessarily.